Hybrid control methods for uninterruptible power supplies

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present technology provide methods for determining a status of power supplies to a server system and dynamically managing an uninterruptible power system (UPS) of the server system between an off-line mode and an on-line mode based upon the status of the power supplies. The UPS requires a minimum standby power during the off-line mode while requires no switch time to continuously supply power to loads of the server system during the on-line mode. Some embodiments determine a status of an AC input power to a server system and, in response to detecting an abnormal condition associated with the AC input power, generate a power warning signal. The power warning signal can cause an UPS of the server system to be switched from an off-line mode to an on-line mode.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to server systems in atelecommunications network.

BACKGROUND

Modern server farms or datacenters typically employ a large number ofservers to handle processing needs for a variety of applicationservices. Each server handles various operations and requires a certainlevel of power consumption to maintain these operations. Some of theseoperations are “mission critical” operations, interruptions to which maylead to significant security breach or revenue losses for usersassociated with these operations.

However, power supplies to a server system may fluctuate or becomeinterrupted. For example, power interruptions may originate incommercial power grids, which typically utilize long transmission linesvulnerable to weather conditions (e.g., storms and flooding) equipmentsubject to failure, and major switching operations. In some cases, powerinterruptions may be caused by a failure of power supplies units of theserver system. Power interruptions can force a shutdown and/or possiblyresulting in data losses. Thus, server systems often containuninterruptible power system (UPS) to provide continuous power supplieswhen a power interruption occurs. There is a need to smartly manageuninterruptible power system (UPS) of a server system such thatoptimized efficiencies and reliabilities can be achieved.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent technology provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems byproviding a backup power with an uninterruptible power system (UPS) thatrequires minimum standby power and has a high reliability. Morespecifically, various embodiments of the present technology providemethods for determining a status of power supplies to a server systemand dynamically managing an uninterruptible power system (UPS) of theserver system between an off-line mode and an on-line mode based uponthe status of the power supplies. The UPS requires a minimum standbypower under the off-line mode while requires no switch time tocontinuously supply power to loads of the server system under theon-line mode.

Some embodiments determine a status of an AC input power to a serversystem and, in response to detecting an abnormal condition associatedwith the AC input power, generate a power warning signal. The powerwarning signal can cause an UPS of the server system to be switched froman off-line mode to an on-line mode. The abnormal condition may include,but is not limited to, voltage or current fluctuations, voltage orcurrent rising over a predetermined high value, voltage or currentdropping below a predetermined low value, and voltage or current beinginterrupted. In some embodiments, a power warning signal is generatedonly when the abnormal condition lasts over a predetermined period oftime (e.g., 1 second). In some embodiments, a location of the serversystem can be determined. Natural disaster warning signals (e.g., fires,earthquakes, storms and flooding) and failures of major switchingoperations that are related to the location can be monitored and used togenerate a power warning signal.

In some embodiments, an operation status of power supply units (PSU) ofa server system can be determined and, in response to detecting a PSUfailure, generate a power warning signal. For example, a DC outputvoltage and/or output power of the PSU can be monitored and used todetermine an operation status of the PSU. In response to an outputvoltage being low or not present, or an output power being low or notpresent, a power warning signal can be generated and used to trigger anUPS of the server system to switch from an off-line mode to an on-linemode.

Some embodiments monitor components and system connection status of aserver system. In response to detecting that a communication interfacebetween an UPS of the server system and one or more components of theserver system is disconnected, the UPS of the server system can beautomatically switched from an off-line mode to an on-line mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific examples thereof which are illustratedin the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict onlyexample aspects of the disclosure and are not therefore to be consideredto be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary serversystem containing an uninterruptible power system (UPS) in accordancewith an implementation of the present technology;

FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate examples of DC output voltages of anuninterruptible power system (UPS) and power supply units (PSU) of aserver system in accordance with implementations of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of dynamically managing anuninterruptible power system (UPS) of a server system in accordance withan implementation of the present technology;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary computing device in accordance withvarious implementations of the technology; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary systems in accordance with variousembodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present technology provide methods formanaging an uninterruptible power system (UPS) of a server system toachieve a substantially optimized power consumption and reliability. Insome implementations, a status of power supplies to a server system canbe determined. Based upon the status of the power supplies, anuninterruptible power system (UPS) of the server system can bedynamically switched between an off-line mode and an on-line mode.

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary serversystem 100 containing an uninterruptible power system (UPS) inaccordance with an implementation of the present technology. In thisexample, the server system 100 comprises at least one microprocessor orCPU 110 connected to a cache 111, a main memory 180, at least one powersupply unit (PSU) 121 that receives an AC power supply 123 and providespower to the server system 100, and an uninterruptible power system(UPS) 120 that is parallel with the at least one PSU 121. A DC Output 1124 of the at least one PSU 121 is connected to a Vout 127 via aone-direction diode 105 (e.g., a p-n junction diode or a Schottky diode)to supply power to components of the server system 100. A DC Output 2126 of the DC UPS 120 is also connected to the Vout 127 via anotherone-direction diode 106.

The at least one PSU 121 is configured to supply powers to variouscomponent of the server system 100, such as the CPU 110, cache 111, NBlogic 130, PCIe slots 160, Memory 180, SB logic 140, ISA slots 150, PCIslots 170, DC UPS 120 and controller 151. After being powered on, theserver system 100 is configured to load software application frommemory, computer storage device, or an external storage device toperform various operations. The DC UPS 120 is configured to supply powerto the server system 100 when the AC power supply 123 is interrupted orthe at least one PSU 121 fails. The DC UPS 120 can be any device thatreceives power from a power source, stores electrical power, and/or iscapable of releasing stored electrical power upon a demand caused by anabnormal condition associated with the AC power supply 123, a PSUfailure, a communication interruption associated with the DC UPS 120,and/or various warning signals that can impact power supplies to theserver system 100. In some embodiments, the DC UPS 120 can include oneor more rechargeable battery cells. The one or more rechargeable batterycells may include, but are not limited to, an electrochemical cell, fuelcell, or ultra-capacitor. The electrochemical cell may include one ormore chemicals from a list of lead-acid, nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickelmetal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer(Li-ion polymer). The one or more rechargeable battery cells can becharged by the PSU 121 or the AC power supply 123.

The main memory 180 can be coupled to the CPU 110 via a north bridge(NB) logic 130. A memory control module (not shown) can be used tocontrol operations of the memory 180 by asserting necessary controlsignals during memory operations. The main memory 180 may include, butis not limited to, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), double data rateDRAM (DDR DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or other types of suitable memory.

In some implementations, the CPU 110 can be multi-core processors, eachof which is coupled together through a CPU bus connected to the NB logic130. In some implementations, the NB logic 130 can be integrated intothe CPU 110. The NB logic 130 can also be connected to a plurality ofperipheral component interconnect express (PCIe) ports 160 and a southbridge (SB) logic 140. The plurality of PCIe ports 160 can be used forconnections and buses such as PCI Express x1, USB 2.0, SMBus, SIM card,future extension for another PCIe lane, 1.5 V and 3.3 V power, and wiresto diagnostics LEDs on the server's chassis.

In this example, the NB logic 130 and the SB logic 140 are connected bya peripheral component interconnect (PCI) Bus 135. The PCI Bus 135 cansupport function on the CPU 110 but in a standardized format that isindependent of any of CPU's native buses. The PCI Bus 135 can be furtherconnected to a plurality of PCI slots 170 (e.g., a PCI slot 171).Devices connect to the PCI Bus 135 may appear to a bus controller (notshown) to be connected directly to a CPU bus, assigned addresses in theCPU 110's address space, and synchronized to a single bus clock. PCIcards can be used in the plurality of PCI slots 170 include, but are notlimited to, network interface cards (NICs), sound cards, modems, TVtuner cards, disk controllers, video cards, small computer systeminterface (SCSI) adapters, and personal computer memory cardinternational association (PCMCIA) cards.

The SB logic 140 can couple the PCI bus 135 to a plurality of expansioncards or slots 150 (e.g., an ISA slot 152) via an expansion bus. Theexpansion bus can be a bus used for communications between the SB logic140 and peripheral devices, and may include, but is not limited to, anindustry standard architecture (ISA) bus, PC/104 bus, low pin count bus,extended ISA (EISA) bus, universal serial bus (USB), integrated driveelectronics (IDE) bus, or any other suitable bus that can be used fordata communications for peripheral devices.

In the example, the SB logic 140 is further coupled to a controller 151that is connected to the at least one PSU 121 and the DC UPS 120. Insome implementations, the controller 151 can be a baseboard managementcontroller (BMC), rack management controller (RMC), a keyboardcontroller, or any other suitable type of system controller. Thecontroller 151 is configured to control operations of the at least onePSU 121, the DC UPS 120 and/or other applicable operations. In someimplementations, the controller 151 is configured to monitor componentsand/or connection status of the server system 100.

Some implementations enable the controller 151 to collect statusinformation of AC power supply 123 and determine whether an abnormalcondition has occurred. In response to detecting an abnormal condition,the controller 151 can cause the DC UPS 120 to be switched from anoff-line mode to an on-line mode. The abnormal condition can include,but is not limited to, voltage or current fluctuations, voltage orcurrent rising over a predetermined high value, voltage or currentdropping below a predetermined low value, and voltage or current beinginterrupted.

In some implementations, the controller 151 can collect operation and/orconnection status of components of the server system 100. For example,the controller 151 monitors a DC output voltage and/or power of the atleast one PSU 121 using various voltage and/or current sensors, whichinclude, but are not limited to, Hall effect sensors, transformer orcurrent clamp meters, resistors, fiber optic current sensors, orRogowski coils. In response to an output voltage being low or notpresent, or an output current being low or not present, the controller151 can cause the DC UPS 120 to switch from an off-line mode to anon-line mode. In some implementations, in response to detecting the DCUPS 120 being disconnected from one or more components of the serversystem 100, the controller 151 can cause the DC UPS 120 to switch froman off-line mode to an on-line mode.

In some implementations, the controller 151 can determine a location ofthe server system 100 and monitor natural disaster warning signals(e.g., fires, earthquakes, storms and flooding), failures of majorswitching operations, and/or any such information related to thelocation. Collected information can be analyzed and used to determinewhether to switch the DC UPS 120 from an off-line mode to an on-linemode.

Although only certain components are shown within the server system 100in FIG. 1A, various types of electronic or computing components that arecapable of processing or storing data, or receiving or transmittingsignals can also be included in server system 100. Further, theelectronic or computing components in the server system 100 can beconfigured to execute various types of application and/or can usevarious types of operating systems. These operating systems can include,but are not limited to, Android, Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD),iPhone OS (iOS), Linux, OS X, Unix-like Real-time Operating System(e.g., QNX), Microsoft Windows, Window Phone, and IBM z/OS.

Depending on the desired implementation for the server system 100, avariety of networking and messaging protocols can be used, including butnot limited to TCP/IP, open systems interconnection (OSI), file transferprotocol (FTP), universal plug and play (UpnP), network file system(NFS), common internet file system (CIFS), AppleTalk etc. As would beappreciated by those skilled in the art, the server system 100illustrated in FIG. 1A is used for purposes of explanation. Therefore, anetwork system can be implemented with many variations, as appropriate,yet still provide a configuration of network platform in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present technology.

In exemplary configuration of FIG. 1A, the server system 100 can alsoinclude one or more wireless components operable to communicate with oneor more electronic devices within a computing range of the particularwireless channel. The wireless channel can be any appropriate channelused to enable devices to communicate wirelessly, such as Bluetooth,cellular, NFC, or Wi-Fi channels. It should be understood that thedevice can have one or more conventional wired communicationsconnections, as known in the art. Various other elements and/orcombinations are possible as well within the scope of variousembodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrate an example of DC output voltages of the DC UPS 120and the at least one PSU 121 of the server system 100 in accordance withimplementations of the present technology. In this examples, a DC output1 124 ramps up to a DC voltage (i.e., 12.5V) at a time t1 and supplypower to components of the server system 100. Voltage at the Vout 127simultaneously ramps up from 0V to 12.5V. At the same time, the DC UPS120 operates under an off-line mode that requires substantially zerostand-by power and has a DC output 2 126 substantially equal to 0V.

At a time t2, a power warning signal 125 is generated based upon anabnormal condition associated with the AC power supply 123, a PSUfailure, a communication interruption associated with the DC UPS 120,and/or various warning signals that can impact power supplies to theserver system 100. The power warning signal 125 causes the DC UPS 120 toswitch from the off-line mode to an on-line mode. The DC output 2 126 ofthe DC UPS 120 ramps up from 0V to a predetermined voltage (i.e., 12.0V)under the on-line mode. Voltage at the Vout 127 stays at 12.5V or risesto a higher voltage depending on the predetermined voltage of the DC UPS120 under the on-line mode. One of ordinary skilled in the art willappreciate that waveform diagrams in FIGS. 1B and 1C are forillustration purpose only. It may take a period of time for a signal tochange from high to low or from low to high (e.g., a certain delay forthe power warning signal 125 changes from high to low). And there may bedelay for one signal to react to changes in another signal. For example,there may be a delay for the DC output 2 to be turned on in response tothe power warning signal 125 dropping from high to low.

At a time t3, the AC power supply 123 is interrupted. Starting from atime t4, the DC output 1 124 starts to gradually ramp down from 12.5V to0V. In FIG. 1B, when the DC output 1 124 starts to drop, voltage at theVout 127 gradually ramps down as well. At a time t5, in response to theDC output 1 124 reducing to 12.0V, the DC UPS 120 starts to supply powerto various components of the server system 100. Voltage at the Vout 127stays the same as the DC output 2 126 of the DC UPS 120, which is 12.0Vin this example.

FIG. 1C illustrate another example of DC output voltages of the DC UPS120 and the at least one PSU 121 of the server system 100 in accordancewith implementations of the present technology. In this examples, a DCoutput 1 124 ramps up to a DC voltage (i.e., 12.5V) at a time t1 andsupply power to components of the server system 100. Voltage at the Vout127 simultaneously ramps up from 0V to 12.5V. At the same time, the DCUPS 120 operates under an off-line mode that requires substantially zerostand-by power and has a DC output 2 126 substantially equal to 0V. At atime t2, a power warning signal 125 is generated to cause the DC UPS 120to switch from the off-line mode to an on-line mode. The DC output 2 126of the DC UPS 120 ramps up from 0V to a predetermined voltage (i.e.,12.6V) under the on-line mode. Voltage at the Vout 127 rises slightly to12.6V or remains unchanged depending on the predetermined voltage of theDC UPS 120 under the on-line mode. At a time t3, the AC power supply 123is interrupted. Starting from a time t4, the DC output 1 124 starts togradually ramp down from 12.5V to 0V. Voltage at the Vout 127 stays thesame as the DC output 2 126 of the DC UPS 120, which is 12.6V in thisexample.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the DC UPS 120 operates under theoff-line mode voltage when the server system 100 is under a normaloperation, which requires a minimum standby power. In response todetecting the power warning signal 125, the DC UPS 120 can be switchedfrom the off-line mode to the on-line mode. The on-line mode can allowthe DC UPS 120 to continuous supply power to components of the serversystem with no switch time. Voltage at the Vout 127 remainssubstantially uninterrupted even though the at least one PSU 121 startedto stop supplying power to the server system 100 at the time t4.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present technology. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent once the above disclosure is fullyappreciated.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method 200 of dynamically managing anuninterruptible power system (UPS) of a server system in accordance withan implementation of the present technology. It should be understoodthat the exemplary method 200 is presented solely for illustrativepurposes and that in other methods in accordance with the presenttechnology can include additional, fewer, or alternative steps performedin similar or alternative orders, or in parallel.

The exemplary method 200 starts with receiving an AC power by a powersupply unit (PSU) of a computing system, at step 210. The PSU isconfigured to supply powers to various component of the computing systemand/or to charge an UPS of the computing system. In someimplementations, the UPS is directly charged by the AC power. The UPSoperates with an off-line mode that requires minimum stand-by powerunder a normal operation the computing system.

At step 220, a status of power supplies to the computing system can bedetermined. In some implementations, the status of power supplies can bedetermined by monitoring an input current or voltage of the AC power, anoutput current and/or voltage of the PSU, or detecting stress voltagevariation in at least one component of the PSU 121, such as a switchingdevice MOSFET, Diode and transformer. A determination can be madewhether an abnormal condition with the power supplies of the computingsystem has occurred, at step 230.

In response to determining that an abnormal condition with the powersupplies of the computing system has occurred, a power warning signalcan be generated, at step 240. The abnormal condition includes, but isnot limited to, voltage or current fluctuations, voltage or currentrising over a predetermined high value, voltage or current droppingbelow a predetermined low value, and voltage or current beinginterrupted. In some implementations, the status of power supplies canalso be determined by detecting a location of the computing system andmonitoring natural disaster warning signals and failures of majorswitching operations that are related to the location.

The power warning signal can cause the DC UPS to switch from theoff-line mode to an on-line mode, at step 250, which causes an outputvoltage of the DC UPS rises from 0V to a predetermined voltage. Underthe on-line mode, the DC UPS can supply power to loads of the computingsystem without requiring any switch time. At step 260, the DC UPS can becaused to supply power to the computing system in response to an outputvoltage of the PSU dropping below the output voltage of the DC UPS.

Terminologies

A computer network is a geographically distributed collection of nodesinterconnected by communication links and segments for transporting databetween endpoints, such as personal computers and workstations. Manytypes of networks are available, with the types ranging from local areanetworks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) to overlay andsoftware-defined networks, such as virtual extensible local areanetworks (VXLANs).

LANs typically connect nodes over dedicated private communications linkslocated in the same general physical location, such as a building orcampus. WANs, on the other hand, typically connect geographicallydispersed nodes over long-distance communications links, such as commoncarrier telephone lines, optical lightpaths, synchronous opticalnetworks (SONET), or synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) links. LANs andWANs can include layer 2 (L2) and/or layer 3 (L3) networks and devices.

The Internet is an example of a WAN that connects disparate networksthroughout the world, providing global communication between nodes onvarious networks. The nodes typically communicate over the network byexchanging discrete frames or packets of data according to predefinedprotocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP). In this context, a protocol can refer to a set of rulesdefining how the nodes interact with each other. Computer networks canbe further interconnected by an intermediate network node, such as arouter, to extend the effective “size” of each network.

Overlay networks generally allow virtual networks to be created andlayered over a physical network infrastructure. Overlay networkprotocols, such as Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN), NetworkVirtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation (NVGRE), NetworkVirtualization Overlays (NVO3), and Stateless Transport Tunneling (STT),provide a traffic encapsulation scheme which allows network traffic tobe carried across L2 and L3 networks over a logical tunnel. Such logicaltunnels can be originated and terminated through virtual tunnel endpoints (VTEPs).

Moreover, overlay networks can include virtual segments, such as VXLANsegments in a VXLAN overlay network, which can include virtual L2 and/orL3 overlay networks over which VMs communicate. The virtual segments canbe identified through a virtual network identifier (VNI), such as aVXLAN network identifier, which can specifically identify an associatedvirtual segment or domain.

Network virtualization allows hardware and software resources to becombined in a virtual network. For example, network virtualization canallow multiple numbers of VMs to be attached to the physical network viarespective virtual LANs (VLANs). The VMs can be grouped according totheir respective VLAN, and can communicate with other VMs as well asother devices on the internal or external network.

Network segments, such as physical or virtual segments, networks,devices, ports, physical or logical links, and/or traffic in general canbe grouped into a bridge or flood domain. A bridge domain or flooddomain can represent a broadcast domain, such as an L2 broadcast domain.A bridge domain or flood domain can include a single subnet, but canalso include multiple subnets. Moreover, a bridge domain can beassociated with a bridge domain interface on a network device, such as aswitch. A bridge domain interface can be a logical interface whichsupports traffic between an L2 bridged network and an L3 routed network.In addition, a bridge domain interface can support internet protocol(IP) termination, VPN termination, address resolution handling, MACaddressing, etc. Both bridge domains and bridge domain interfaces can beidentified by a same index or identifier.

Furthermore, endpoint groups (EPGs) can be used in a network for mappingapplications to the network. In particular, EPGs can use a grouping ofapplication endpoints in a network to apply connectivity and policy tothe group of applications. EPGs can act as a container for buckets orcollections of applications, or application components, and tiers forimplementing forwarding and policy logic. EPGs also allow separation ofnetwork policy, security, and forwarding from addressing by insteadusing logical application boundaries.

Cloud computing can also be provided in one or more networks to providecomputing services using shared resources. Cloud computing can generallyinclude Internet-based computing in which computing resources aredynamically provisioned and allocated to client or user computers orother devices on-demand, from a collection of resources available viathe network (e.g., “the cloud”). Cloud computing resources, for example,can include any type of resource, such as computing, storage, andnetwork devices, virtual machines (VMs), etc. For instance, resourcescan include service devices (firewalls, deep packet inspectors, trafficmonitors, load balancers, etc.), compute/processing devices (servers,CPU's, memory, brute force processing capability), storage devices(e.g., network attached storages, storage area network devices), etc. Inaddition, such resources can be used to support virtual networks,virtual machines (VM), databases, applications (Apps), etc.

Cloud computing resources can include a “private cloud,” a “publiccloud,” and/or a “hybrid cloud.” A “hybrid cloud” can be a cloudinfrastructure composed of two or more clouds that inter-operate orfederate through technology. In essence, a hybrid cloud is aninteraction between private and public clouds where a private cloudjoins a public cloud and utilizes public cloud resources in a secure andscalable manner. Cloud computing resources can also be provisioned viavirtual networks in an overlay network, such as a VXLAN.

In a network switch system, a lookup database can be maintained to keeptrack of routes between a number of end points attached to the switchsystem. However, end points can have various configurations and areassociated with numerous tenants. These end-points can have varioustypes of identifiers, e.g., IPv4, IPv6, or Layer-2. The lookup databasehas to be configured in different modes to handle different types ofend-point identifiers. Some capacity of the lookup database is carvedout to deal with different address types of incoming packets. Further,the lookup database on the network switch system is typically limited by1K virtual routing and forwarding (VRFs). Therefore, an improved lookupalgorithm is desired to handle various types of end-point identifiers.The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for addresslookups in a telecommunications network. Disclosed are systems, methods,and computer-readable storage media for unifying various types ofend-point identifiers by mapping end-point identifiers to a uniformspace and allowing different forms of lookups to be uniformly handled. Abrief introductory description of example systems and networks, asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, is disclosed herein. These variationsshall be described herein as the various examples are set forth. Thetechnology now turns to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example computing device 300 suitable forimplementing the present technology. Computing device 300 includes amaster central processing unit (CPU) 362, interfaces 368, and a bus 315(e.g., a PCI bus). When acting under the control of appropriate softwareor firmware, the CPU 362 is responsible for executing packet management,error detection, and/or routing functions, such as miscabling detectionfunctions, for example. The CPU 362 preferably accomplishes all thesefunctions under the control of software including an operating systemand any appropriate applications software. CPU 362 can include one ormore processors 363 such as a processor from the Motorola family ofmicroprocessors or the MIPS family of microprocessors. In an alternativeembodiment, processor 363 is specially designed hardware for controllingthe operations of the computing device 300. In a specific embodiment, amemory 361 (such as non-volatile RAM and/or ROM) also forms part of CPU362. However, there are many different ways in which memory could becoupled to the system.

The interfaces 368 are typically provided as interface cards (sometimesreferred to as “line cards”). Generally, they control the sending andreceiving of data packets over the network and sometimes support otherperipherals used with the computing device 300. Among the interfacesthat can be provided are Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces,cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces, and the like.In addition, various very high-speed interfaces can be provided such asfast token ring interfaces, wireless interfaces, Ethernet interfaces,Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, ATM interfaces, HSSI interfaces, POSinterfaces, FDDI interfaces and the like. Generally, these interfacescan include ports appropriate for communication with the appropriatemedia. In some cases, they can also include an independent processorand, in some instances, volatile RAM. The independent processors cancontrol such communications intensive tasks as packet switching, mediacontrol and management. By providing separate processors for thecommunications intensive tasks, these interfaces allow the mastermicroprocessor 362 to efficiently perform routing computations, networkdiagnostics, security functions, etc.

Although the system shown in FIG. 3 is one specific computing device ofthe present technology, it is by no means the only network devicearchitecture on which the present invention can be implemented. Forexample, an architecture having a single processor that handlescommunications as well as routing computations, etc. is often used.Further, other types of interfaces and media could also be used with therouter.

Regardless of the network device's configuration, it can employ one ormore memories or memory modules (including memory 361) configured tostore program instructions for the general-purpose network operationsand mechanisms for roaming, route optimization and routing functionsdescribed herein. The program instructions can control the operation ofan operating system and/or one or more applications, for example. Thememory or memories can also be configured to store tables such asmobility binding, registration, and association tables, etc.

FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B illustrate example possible systems in accordancewith various aspects of the present technology. The more appropriateembodiment will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art whenpracticing the present technology. Persons of ordinary skill in the artwill also readily appreciate that other system examples are possible.

FIG. 4A illustrates a conventional system bus computing systemarchitecture 400 wherein the components of the system are in electricalcommunication with each other using a bus 405. Example system 400includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 410 and a system bus 405that couples various system components including the system memory 415,such as read only memory (ROM) 420 and random access memory (RAM) 425,to the processor 410. The system 400 can include a cache of high-speedmemory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated aspart of the processor 410. The system 400 can copy data from the memory415 and/or the storage device 430 to the cache 412 for quick access bythe processor 410. In this way, the cache can provide a performanceboost that avoids processor 410 delays while waiting for data. These andother modules can control or be configured to control the processor 410to perform various actions. Other system memory 415 can be available foruse as well. The memory 415 can include multiple different types ofmemory with different performance characteristics. The processor 410 caninclude any general purpose processor and a hardware module or softwaremodule, such as module 432, module 434, and module 436 stored in storagedevice 430, configured to control the processor 410 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 410 can essentially be acompletely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processorcan be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 400, an inputdevice 445 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 435 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems can enable a user to provide multiple types of input tocommunicate with the computing device 400. The communications interface440 can generally govern and manage the user input and system output.There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardwarearrangement and therefore the basic features here can easily besubstituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they aredeveloped.

Storage device 430 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk orother types of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges,random access memories (RAMs) 425, read only memory (ROM) 420, andhybrids thereof.

The storage device 430 can include software modules 432, 434, 436 forcontrolling the processor 410. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 430 can be connected to the system bus405. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particularfunction can include the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as the processor 410, bus 405, output device 435 (e.g.,a display), and so forth, to carry out the function.

FIG. 4B illustrates a computer system 450 having a chipset architecturethat can be used in executing the described method and generating anddisplaying a graphical user interface (GUI). Computer system 450 is anexample of computer hardware, software, and firmware that can be used toimplement the disclosed technology. System 450 can include a processor455, representative of any number of physically and/or logicallydistinct resources capable of executing software, firmware, and hardwareconfigured to perform identified computations. Processor 455 cancommunicate with a chipset 460 that can control input to and output fromprocessor 455. In this example, chipset 460 outputs information tooutput 465, such as a display, and can read and write information tostorage device 470, which can include magnetic media, and solid statemedia, for example. Chipset 460 can also read data from and write datato RAM 475. A bridge 480 for interfacing with a variety of userinterface components 485 can be provided for interfacing with chipset460. Such user interface components 485 can include a keyboard, amicrophone, touch detection and processing circuitry, a pointing device,such as a mouse, and so on. In general, inputs to system 450 can comefrom any of a variety of sources, machine generated and/or humangenerated.

Chipset 460 can also interface with one or more communication interfaces590 that can have different physical interfaces. Such communicationinterfaces can include interfaces for wired and wireless local areanetworks, for broadband wireless networks, as well as personal areanetworks. Some applications of the methods for generating, displaying,and using the GUI disclosed herein can include receiving ordereddatasets over the physical interface or be generated by the machineitself by processor 455 analyzing data stored in storage 470 or RAM 475.Further, the machine can receive inputs from a user via user interfacecomponents 485 and execute appropriate functions, such as browsingfunctions by interpreting these inputs using processor 455.

It can be appreciated that example systems 400 and 450 can have morethan one processor 410 or be part of a group or cluster of computingdevices networked together to provide greater processing capability.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology canbe presented as including individual functional blocks includingfunctional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps orroutines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardwareand software.

In some examples, the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, andmemories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit streamand the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readablestorage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals,electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwiseavailable from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise,for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.The computer executable instructions can be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, orsource code. Examples of computer-readable media that can be used tostore instructions, information used, and/or information created duringmethods according to described examples include magnetic or opticaldisks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory,networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops,smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digitalassistants, and so on. Functionality described herein also can beembodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also beimplemented on a circuit board among different chips or differentprocesses executing in a single device, by way of further example.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computingresources for executing them, and other structures for supporting suchcomputing resources are means for providing the functions described inthese disclosures.

Various aspects of the present technology provide methods for providinga backup power with an uninterruptible power system (UPS) that requiresminimum standby power and has a high reliability. While specificexamples have been cited above showing how the optional operation can beemployed in different instructions, other examples can incorporate theoptional operation into different instructions. For clarity ofexplanation, in some instances the present technology can be presentedas including individual functional blocks including functional blockscomprising devices, device components, steps or routines in a methodembodied in software, or combinations of hardware and software.

The various examples can be further implemented in a wide variety ofoperating environments, which in some cases can include one or moreserver computers, user computers or computing devices which can be usedto operate any of a number of applications. User or client devices caninclude any of a number of general purpose personal computers, such asdesktop or laptop computers running a standard operating system, as wellas cellular, wireless and handheld devices running mobile software andcapable of supporting a number of networking and messaging protocols.Such a system can also include a number of workstations running any of avariety of commercially-available operating systems and other knownapplications for purposes such as development and database management.These devices can also include other electronic devices, such as dummyterminals, thin-clients, gaming systems and other devices capable ofcommunicating via a network.

To the extent examples, or portions thereof, are implemented inhardware, the present invention can be implemented with any or acombination of the following technologies: a discrete logic circuit(s)having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriatecombinational logic gates, programmable hardware such as a programmablegate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

Most examples utilize at least one network that would be familiar tothose skilled in the art for supporting communications using any of avariety of commercially-available protocols, such as TCP/IP, OSI, FTP,UPnP, NFS, CIFS, AppleTalk etc. The network can be, for example, a localarea network, a wide-area network, a virtual private network, theInternet, an intranet, an extranet, a public switched telephone network,an infrared network, a wireless network and any combination thereof.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwiseavailable from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise,for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.The computer executable instructions can be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, orsource code. Examples of computer-readable media that can be used tostore instructions, information used, and/or information created duringmethods according to described examples include magnetic or opticaldisks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory,networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these technology can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include servercomputers, laptops, smart phones, small form factor personal computers,personal digital assistants, and so on. Functionality described hereinalso can be embodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionalitycan also be implemented on a circuit board among different chips ordifferent processes executing in a single device, by way of furtherexample.

In examples utilizing a Web server, the Web server can run any of avariety of server or mid-tier applications, including HTTP servers, FTPservers, CGI servers, data servers, Java servers and businessapplication servers. The server(s) can also be capable of executingprograms or scripts in response requests from user devices, such as byexecuting one or more Web applications that can be implemented as one ormore scripts or programs written in any programming language, such asJava®, C, C# or C++ or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python orTCL, as well as combinations thereof. The server(s) can also includedatabase servers, including without limitation those commerciallyavailable from open market.

The server farm can include a variety of data stores and other memoryand storage media as discussed above. These can reside in a variety oflocations, such as on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) oneor more of the computers or remote from any or all of the computersacross the network. In a particular set of examples, the information canreside in a storage-area network (SAN) familiar to those skilled in theart. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functionsattributed to the computers, servers or other network devices can bestored locally and/or remotely, as appropriate. Where a system includescomputerized devices, each such device can include hardware elementsthat can be electrically coupled via a bus, the elements including, forexample, at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one inputdevice (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch-sensitive displayelement or keypad) and at least one output device (e.g., a displaydevice, printer or speaker). Such a system can also include one or morestorage devices, such as disk drives, optical storage devices andsolid-state storage devices such as random access memory (RAM) orread-only memory (ROM), as well as removable media devices, memorycards, flash cards, etc.

Such devices can also include a computer-readable storage media reader,a communications device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless orwired), an infrared computing device) and working memory as describedabove. The computer-readable storage media reader can be connected with,or configured to receive, a computer-readable storage mediumrepresenting remote, local, fixed and/or removable storage devices aswell as storage media for temporarily and/or more permanentlycontaining, storing, transmitting and retrieving computer-readableinformation. The system and various devices also typically will includea number of software applications, modules, services or other elementslocated within at least one working memory device, including anoperating system and application programs such as a client applicationor Web browser. It should be appreciated that alternate examples canhave numerous variations from that described above. For example,customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements mightbe implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, suchas applets) or both. Further, connection to other computing devices suchas network input/output devices can be employed.

Storage media and computer readable media for containing code, orportions of code, can include any appropriate media known or used in theart, including storage media and computing media, such as but notlimited to volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage and/or transmissionof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data, including RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other medium whichcan be used to store the desired information and which can be accessedby a system device. Based on the technology and teachings providedherein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other waysand/or methods to implement the various aspects of the presenttechnology.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes can be made thereuntowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A server system, comprising: at least oneprocessor; and memory including instructions that, when executed by theat least one processor, cause the system to: determine a status of powersupplies to components of the server system; determine whether anabnormal condition has occurred with at least one of the power supplies;in response to determining that the abnormal condition has occurred,cause an uninterruptible power system (UPS) of the server system to beswitched from an off-line mode to an on-line mode; and cause the UPS tosupply power to the components of the server system when an outputvoltage of a power supply unit (PSU) of the server system is determinedto be below an output voltage of the UPS.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the UPS requires substantially no standby power under theoff-line mode, and the UPS requires substantially no switch time tosubstitute the PSU to supply power to the components of the serversystem.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the status of power suppliesincludes a status of an AC input power to the server system, theinstructions when executed further cause the system to: determine thestatus of the AC input power; in response to detecting an abnormalcondition associated with the AC input power, generate a power warningsignal; and cause the UPS to be switched from the off-line mode to theon-line mode.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the abnormal conditionassociated with the AC input power includes at least one of voltage orcurrent fluctuations, voltage or current rising over a predeterminedhigh value, voltage or current dropping below a predetermined low value,or voltage or current being interrupted.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the instructions when executed further cause the system to:determine a location of the server system; monitor natural disasterwarning signals and information associated with failures of majorswitching operations that are related to the location of the serversystem; in response to detecting one of the natural disaster warningsignals and the information associated with failures of major switchingoperations that are related to the location of the server system,generate a power warning signal; and cause the UPS to be switched fromthe off-line mode to the on-line mode.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe status of power supplies includes an operation status of the PSU,the instructions when executed further cause the system to: monitor a DCoutput voltage and/or output power of the PSU; in response todetermining that the DC output voltage and/or power is low or notpresent, or detecting a stress voltage variation in at least onecomponent of the PSU, generate a power warning signal; and cause the UPSto be switched from the off-line mode to the on-line mode.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein the DC output voltage and/or out put power of thePSU is determined by using at least one voltage or current sensor, theat least one voltage or current sensor including one of Hall effectsensors, transformer or current clamp meters, resistors, fiber opticcurrent sensors, or Rogowski coils.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe instructions when executed further cause the system to: monitorcomponents and a system connection status of the server system; inresponse to detecting that a communication interface between the UPS andany of the components of the server system is disconnected, cause theUPS to be switched from the off-line mode to the on-line mode.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the UPS includes one or more rechargeablebattery cells, the one or more rechargeable battery cells including atleast one of an electrochemical cell, fuel cell, or ultra-capacitor. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein the electrochemical cell contains one ormore chemicals from a list of lead-acid, nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickelmetal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer(Li-ion polymer).
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or morerechargeable battery cells are recharged by the PSU or an AC input powerto the server system.
 12. A computer-implemented method for managing anuninterruptible power system (UPS) of a server system, comprising:determining a status of power supplies to components of the serversystem; determining whether an abnormal condition has occurred with atleast one of the power supplies; in response to determining that theabnormal condition has occurred, causing an uninterruptible power system(UPS) of the server system to be switched from an off-line mode to anon-line mode; and causing the UPS to supply power to the components ofthe server system when an output voltage of a power supply unit (PSU) ofthe server system is determined to be below an output voltage of theUPS.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the statusof power supplies includes a status of an AC input power to the serversystem, the computer-implemented method further comprising: determiningthe status of the AC input power; in response to detecting an abnormalcondition associated with the AC input power, generating a power warningsignal; and causing the UPS to be switched from the off-line mode to theon-line mode.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, whereinthe abnormal condition associated with the AC input power includes atleast one of voltage or current fluctuations, voltage or current risingover a predetermined high value, voltage or current dropping below apredetermined low value, or voltage or current being interrupted. 15.The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising:determining a location of the server system; monitoring natural disasterwarning signals and information associated with failures of majorswitching operations that are related to the location of the serversystem; in response to detecting one of the natural disaster warningsignals and the information associated with failures of major switchingoperations that are related to the location of the server system,generating a power warning signal; and causing the UPS to be switchedfrom the off-line mode to the on-line mode.
 16. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 12, wherein the status of power supplies includes anoperation status of the PSU, the computer-implemented method furthercomprising: monitoring a DC output voltage and/or output power of thePSU; in response to determining that the DC output voltage and/or poweris low or not present, generating a power warning signal; and causingthe UPS to be switched from the off-line mode to the on-line mode. 17.The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the DC outputvoltage and/or output power of the PSU is determined by using at leastone voltage or current sensor, the at least one voltage or currentsensor including one of Hall effect sensors, transformer or currentclamp meters, resistors, fiber optic current sensors, or Rogowski coils.18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includinginstructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a serversystem, cause the server system to: determine a status of power suppliesto components of the server system; determine whether an abnormalcondition has occurred with at least one of the power supplies; inresponse to determining that the abnormal condition has occurred, causean uninterruptible power system (UPS) of the server system to beswitched from an off-line mode to an on-line mode; and cause the UPS tosupply power to the components of the server system when an outputvoltage of a power supply unit (PSU) of the server system is determinedto be below an output voltage of the UPS.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the instructionswhen executed further cause the system to: monitor components and asystem connection status of the server system; in response to detectingthat a communication interface between the UPS and any of the componentsof the server system is disconnected, cause the UPS to be switched fromthe off-line mode to the on-line mode.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the status ofpower supplies includes a status of an AC input power to the serversystem, the instructions when executed further cause the system to:determine the status of the AC input power to the server system; inresponse to detecting an abnormal condition associated with the AC inputpower, generate a power warning signal; and cause the UPS to be switchedfrom the off-line mode to the on-line mode.